Children in Media
An ambitious collaboration between the University of Glasgow and Hillhead Primary gave 90 school children the opportunity to learn more about the media, digital storytelling and the University’s research.
During February and March 2026, over 90 P3 pupils visited the University’s Gilmorehill campus in the city’s west end to interview 14 academics across 10 sessions, finding out what they do, and how and why they do it.
The Children in Media project is informed by research undertaken by Dr Nicole Smith and Dr Elizabeth (Libby) Nelson, which explores children’s agency in making media, questions of consent, post-digital understandings, forms of storytelling, and place-based learning.
The wide variety of topics covered by the ‘Kid Reporters’ included meteorites from outer space, the citizen science of Scotland’s mosquitoes, uncovering the archaeology of the Kelvingrove Skatepark and of Glencoe, staying safe online, and the University’s work with the local community and the River Kelvin. The Kid Reporters also interviewed the University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield.
The interactive sessions took place across the University’s laboratories, lecture theatres, The Hunterian Museum and Graham Kerry Zoology Museum, and at Kelvingrove Park.
From outbreaks of song to unexpected reveals, the interactive sessions brought an energy to the University campus and research that was very much enjoyed by all involved.
Children were supported throughout by Hillhead Primary’s Principal Teacher, Elizabeth Dunn, alongside the children’s classroom teachers, learning assistants and the school’s 20 young Digital Leaders. Over 20 School of Education PhD students with specialisms from across education, literacies, children’s literature, museum and heritage studies and Masters-level students from the School of Education’s Children’s Literature and Literacies MEd programme provided research methods experiences including Chinese paper cutting, recording audio, zine making, and mapping the city of Glasgow.
The work of this project will inform and shape the Museum Education MSc and Children’s Literature and Literacies MEd. It is also being explored in relation to the recent Film and Screen Curriculum, led in the School of Education by Jo Gallagher.
The Children in Media project continues to work with schools across Glasgow and its environs to bring more Kid Reporters to the University, opening up our ongoing research to new, younger audiences.
